Austin calls for closure of fracking loopholes
Today I am proud to be an Austinite. Our city council has just enacted a resolution that has acknowledged what many government agencies have so blatantly ignored: The harmful effects fracking has on Texan families. The scientific and academic communities have revealed the truth about fracking. In a study done by Earthworks, they concluded that current efforts done by regulatory agencies in Texas to keep families safe are “woefully inadequate”. Fracking produces an enormous amount of hazardous waste, including the explosive methane that infiltrates water, along with the potential of creating earthquakes. Fracking operations in Texas produced 260 billion gallons of toxic waste in 2012 alone. The fact that the city council of Austin acknowledged all of these and more is a good sign for Texas, and hopefully other governmental bodies will add their voices.
By Daniel Ross
Today I am proud to be an Austinite. Our city council has just enacted a resolution that has acknowledged what many government agencies have so blatantly ignored: The harmful effects fracking has on Texan families. The scientific and academic communities have revealed the truth about fracking. In a study done by Earthworks, they concluded that current efforts done by regulatory agencies in Texas to keep families safe are “woefully inadequate”. Fracking produces an enormous amount of hazardous waste, including the explosive methane that infiltrates water, along with the potential of creating earthquakes. Fracking operations in Texas produced 260 billion gallons of toxic waste in 2012 alone. The fact that the city council of Austin acknowledged all of these and more is a good sign for Texas, and hopefully other governmental bodies will add their voices.
For the sake of Texas’ environment, drinking water, and health, the CLEANER Act, introduced by Rep. Matt Cartwright, needs to be passed to help close the loophole that exempts fracking from key provisions of our nation’s hazardous waste law. The Austin City Council endorsed CLEANER, and in doing so they are helping push our state in the right direction. Thanks to Council Members Martinez, Riley, and Morrison for sponsoring the resolution and for the suport of the full council!
Daniel is majoring in Environmental Studies at Southwestern University and is an intern with Environment Texas’ campaign to protect Texans from fracking.
Authors
Luke Metzger
Executive Director, Environment Texas
As the executive director of Environment Texas, Luke is a leading voice in the state for clean air, clean water, clean energy and open space. Luke has led successful campaigns to win permanent protection for the Christmas Mountains of Big Bend; to compel Exxon, Shell and Chevron Phillips to cut air pollution at three Texas refineries and chemical plants; and to boost funding for water conservation, renewable energy and state parks. The San Antonio Current has called Luke "long one of the most energetic and dedicated defenders of environmental issues in the state." He has been named one of the "Top Lobbyists for Causes" by Capitol Inside, received the President's Award from the Texas Recreation and Parks Society for his work to protect Texas parks, and was chosen for the inaugural class of "Next Generation Fellows" by the Robert S. Strauss Center for International Security and Law at UT Austin. Luke, his wife, son and daughters are working to visit every state park in Texas.